79-03-B6
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Hamburgers[edit]
Transcript[edit]There is a famous resort community--an island off Massachusetts, Martha's Vineyard, rich in history, beauty and the nostalgic charm of yesterday. Now, thanks to my friend M. Stanton Evans, that lovely place is here in a commentary I'd intended to do about the "junk food" fuss. In a recent National Review Bulletin, Stan reported on a battle that has brought rancor and bitterness to the normally peaceful vacation climate of Martha's Vineyard. It seems that McDonald's, the franchise purveyor of hamburgers, wants to open a place in the village there. Standing in the way is a hostile mobilized group called the "No-Mac Committee". Stan quotes a spokesman for the group as saying, "The consensus of the community is to reject many of the 20th century values which have homogenized American culture." Now, lest you think this is a problem of scenery and esthetic values, let me hasten to say that "Big Mac" has made it plain there will be no neon signs or golden arches. The plan is for building in keeping with the local architecture. It is described as "like a captain's house"--sea captain, that is. One can't escape the idea that opposition to a "Big Mac" in Martha's Vineyard springs from a touch of snobbery . Elitists who'd have no objection to a new tea room are horrified by the low cost, mass merchandising of food. Well, there is no argument that McDonald's and all the other so-called "fast food" merchandisers are aiming at supplying food of guaranteed quality in clean--if not atmospheric-- surroundings at low cost. They do not pretend to be gourmet cafes with exotic menus. But, just in passing let me point out that they also provide employment for thousands of young people who have no particular job skill or trade. Well, as I said, I was going to do a commentary on all the fuss now being raised about junk foods. Stan's article sidetracked me only because the "fast food" chains are often lumped in with the sugar-coated tooth destroyers, soft drinks and so forth, which are supposedly threatening the health of the young. But, a research group in Wisconsin focused on McDonald's and found that a meal consisting of a Big Mac, french fries and a chocolate milkshake provides 70 percent of daily protein needs, 60 percent of niacin, 50 percent of calcium, 50 percent of phosphorus, 45 percent of vitamin B-12, 30 percent of iron and substantial percentages of other dietary requirements. The director of Food and Nutrition of the American Medical Association agrees there is adequate nutritional value in such a meal and adds, "Most of the products used are just about as good or maybe even better than the products that are prepared at home." They make it plain, of course, that such a meal as a steady, daily diet would not meet all our nutritional needs. Stan Evans in his article called attention to a coincidence which, of course, has nothing to do with the good people of Martha's Vineyard. New Times, a Soviet weekly paper, has accused McDonald's of exploiting youth, financing secret armies and a host of other sins. You know, it's funny, but all of a sudden I want a hamburger. This is Ronald Reagan. Thanks for listening. |
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